The College Preparatory School - HR Manager (Full-Time, Exempt, In-Person)

About The College Preparatory School:

Founded in 1960, The College Preparatory School (College Prep) is an independent coeducational high school in Oakland, CA. The School’s mission is to prepare students for productive, ethical lives in college and beyond by fostering a stimulating education within an atmosphere of consideration, trust, and mutual responsibility. College Prep students are engaged and motivated learners who help create a kind, intellectual, and equitable community.   

For more information about our school, visit our website at www.college-prep.org.

The Opportunity:

College Prep is seeking a highly motivated and experienced HR Manager to join our administrative team. This is a full-time, in-person position that offers the unique opportunity to be the sole HR professional within our school, working closely with School leadership and the Business Office to support our dedicated faculty and staff. If you are a proactive problem-solver with a strong understanding of California employment law and a passion for supporting an educational community, we encourage you to apply. This role reports to the CFO.

Key Responsibilities:

The HR Manager will be responsible for a wide range of HR functions, including but not limited to:

• Compliance:

• • Ensure compliance with School policies and procedures as well with all federal, CA, and local employment laws and regulations.

  • Maintain required employee records (i.e. federal, state, accreditation, medical, background, training, etc.).

  • Collaborate with School leadership to continue and improve upon the employee training program for mandatory and recommended school training (e.g., CPR/First Aid, general safety, Mandated Reporter, sexual harassment, workplace violence prevention, etc.) and track employee compliance. 

  • Serve on the School’s Retirement Plan Committee as a fiduciary. Work with the CFO to ensure compliance with 403b findings, audits, required communications, and internal controls for the School’s retirement plans.

  • Manage workers' compensation claims. 

• Compensation & Benefits:

• • Maintain accurate and complete employee records, including benefit enrollments and compensation information (annual salary update letters, stipend agreements, etc.).

  • Administer employee benefit programs (health, dental, vision, retirement, etc.), including open enrollment, new enrollments, and terminations, in partnership with the CFO and the School’s insurance brokers. 

  • Ensure the Business Office receives accurate and timely personnel information for payroll processing.

  • Oversee employee leaves of absence, including timely notice to employees and support for employees throughout their leave, ensuring pay is coordinated with state and school benefits.

• Employee Relations & Performance Management:

• • Serve as a primary point of contact for employee inquiries and concerns on HR related matters, providing guidance and support as appropriate.

  • Assist in resolving employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and grievances, ensuring compliance with school policies and legal requirements.

  • Work with leadership and legal counsel to conduct internal investigations as needed.

  • Support the performance review process, including providing guidance to managers and employees as needed, and maintaining records.

  • Assist in developing and implementing performance improvement plans.

• Recruitment & Onboarding:

• • Support the full cycle of employee recruiting: manage the online applicant tracking system - Applicant Pro, post job descriptions on all relevant recruitment platforms, work with other hiring managers on campus to optimize recruitment, interview candidates, generate offer letters for all employees, and onboard new employees. 

  • Maintain and update job descriptions and pay scales as needed.

• General HR Support:

• • Prepare HR reports and analytics as requested.

  • Participate in special projects and initiatives as assigned by school leadership.

  • Maintain strict confidentiality of all sensitive information.

  • Maintain and optimize the school's HR information system (HRIS) for accurate data management and reporting.

  • Track employee data for accurate data management and reporting.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.

• 8+ years of progressive HR roles (preferably with generalist and payroll processing experience), with a strong preference for experience in an independent school or non-profit environment.

• In-depth knowledge of California and federal employment laws (e.g., AB 5, Prop 65, FEHA, FMLA, CFRA, etc.) is essential.

• SHRM-CP or PHR certification preferred.

• Experience with ADP, EASE, and/or Applicant Pro is a plus.

• Proficiency in HRIS systems and Google Suite.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of employee relations principles and best practices, with the ability to develop and cultivate relationships that inspire trust and collaboration amongst a multi-generational workforce.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff and faculty.

• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent follow-through.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• A strong work ethic, with a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

• A positive attitude and a genuine interest in supporting people at all levels of our talented educational community.

• Willingness to explore process improvements, potentially with the use of AI. 

• Demonstrated cultural competence.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range of $100,000 - $135,000 dependent on experience. College Prep offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for full-time employees, with employer contribution toward dependent medical coverage, a generous vacation and sick leave policy, a retirement plan with employer contribution (automatically vests and no match required), disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, free parking, social and networking events to build community, lunch prepared daily for faculty and staff, and 50% tuition remission for children attending College Prep.

To Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume on the School's Employment Page.

As an equal opportunity employer, College Prep welcomes candidates representing diversity of all kinds. We celebrate the inclusivity of our community regarding race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications for this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.